Jeffery Woodke, 55, was kidnapped from his home in Niger by gunmen suspected to be linked to jihadist group The Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO).
American Mr Woodke was taken from his home in the town of Abalak by a group of armed men in a Toyota Hilux pickup truck.
It is believed the Christian could have been driven across the border to Mali.
Mohamed Bazoum, Niger interior minister, said: "These criminals are now heading towards Mali. Our forces are on their trail.
“We think this is the MUJAO. We followed the kidnappers when they crossed the Malian border. They... read more

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